19 Best Tours from Interlaken Worth Booking This Year

Introduction

Interlaken sits between two lakes and directly below three 4,000-meter peaks, making it one of the most tour-friendly towns in all of Europe. If you’re trying to find the best tours from Interlaken, this list gives you 19 specific, bookable options with real logistics attached.

Each entry covers duration, difficulty, price range, and who it suits best. Whether you have three days or just one, you’ll know exactly what to book and what to skip.

This isn’t a loose list of ideas. It’s a side-by-side comparison built for travelers who want to decide fast and book with confidence. You’ll find everything from the iconic Jungfraujoch train journey to quieter gems like Lake Brienz and Lauterbrunnen valley.

Some tours sell out weeks in advance, especially in July and August. Read before you plan, then book before you arrive.

Best Tours from Interlaken

You’ve got three days in Interlaken and a list of destinations that keeps growing. Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Zermatt. Knowing which ones are actually worth your time and money makes all the difference.

The best tours from Interlaken earn that title by hitting four things: strong scenery, fair pricing, easy logistics, and consistently good reviews from real travelers.

Tour type matters just as much as destination. Guided group tours are cheaper and handle all the planning for you. Private tours give you flexibility but cost significantly more, often starting around $150 per person. Self-guided excursions work well for confident travelers who want to ride the cogwheel train at their own pace.

For booking, Viator and GetYourGuide both list most Interlaken excursions with verified reviews and free cancellation options on many listings.

Book Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn tours at least two to three weeks ahead, especially in summer. Popular time slots sell out fast

Jungfraujoch Day Trip

Have you ever stood on a snow-covered summit at 11,332 feet and looked out over the entire Swiss Alps? That’s exactly what this tour delivers, and it’s easy to see why it ranks among the best tours from Interlaken year after year.

The journey is half the experience. You’ll board a cogwheel train from Interlaken that winds through Grindelwald, then climbs to Kleine Scheidegg before continuing into the mountain itself through a tunnel carved straight into the rock.

At the top, the Sphinx Observation Deck gives you sweeping 360-degree views across glaciers and jagged peaks that genuinely stop you mid-sentence. On clear days you can see all the way into Germany and France.

Book at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead, especially in summer. September and October tend to offer the clearest skies with fewer crowds than July.

This is a full-day commitment, usually 8 to 10 hours. If you have severe altitude sensitivity, talk to your doctor first or consider the

Schilthorn Cable Car Tour

Everyone assumes Jungfraujoch is the only mountain worth visiting from Interlaken. Schilthorn gives you comparable Alpine drama at a noticeably lower price, with far smaller crowds at the summit.

The journey itself starts strong. Your route passes through Lauterbrunnen, one of the most photographed valleys in the Bernese Oberland, before a series of cable cars lifts you to 2,970 metres above sea level.

At the top sits Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant used as a Bond villain’s lair in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The 360-degree panoramic views stretch across the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau on clear days, and the full rotation takes about 45 minutes.

Compared to Jungfraujoch, tickets here typically run around CHF 100 less per person, making this one of the best tours from Interlaken for travelers watching their budget without sacrificing the view.

Book a morning departure

Grindelwald Day Trip

Grindelwald sits right at the foot of the Eiger, and that view hits you the moment you step off the train. It’s one of those places that genuinely looks like a postcard without any effort on your part.

The train ride from Interlaken Ost takes around 35 minutes and costs very little, which makes this one of the most accessible Bernese Oberland tours you can do. Guided options are available through platforms like GetYourGuide if you’d rather have commentary and a set itinerary, but honestly, the self-guided route works just as well for most travelers.

The First Cliff Walk and gondola up to First are worth adding on. You get sweeping glacier views without pushing into extreme altitude, so it suits families and anyone who wants serious scenery without the Jungfraujoch price tag.

Among the best tours from Interlaken, a Grindelwald day trip balances village charm, hiking access, and mountain drama in one easy, repeatable package.

Lauterbrunnen Valley Tour

Book a morning departure so you have time to combine Lauterbrunnen with a second stop later in the day. The valley is only about 20 minutes from Interlaken by train, which makes it one of the easiest half-day additions to any Switzerland itinerary.

Staubbach Falls drops nearly 300 meters straight off the cliff face above the village, and it’s genuinely jaw-dropping up close. The surrounding walls of rock rise so steeply on both sides that the valley floor stays in its own quiet world, completely separate from everything above it.

Lauterbrunnen is regularly listed among the most beautiful valleys in Europe, and after visiting you’ll understand why. Many of the best tours from Interlaken use it as a starting point before heading up to Schilthorn or Grindelwald by cable car or cogwheel train.

The flat valley path is ideal for families, seniors, and travelers with limited mobility, with no steep terrain required to enjoy the full scenery.

Kleine Scheidegg Train Ride

In summer, when the alpine meadows are green and the snow still caps the peaks, the cogwheel train ride to Kleine Scheidegg is genuinely hard to beat. The rack railway climbs from Grindelwald or Wengen through open mountain terrain, with almost nothing blocking your view the entire way up.

At around 2,061 metres, the saddle station puts you face to face with the Eiger’s north face, the Monch, and the Jungfrau all at once. It’s one of the most photographed train journeys in Switzerland, and the views make that obvious the moment you step off.

You can treat this as a standalone half-day excursion from Interlaken, which works well if Jungfraujoch is outside your budget. A round trip from Grindelwald costs roughly 40 CHF and takes about two hours total.

It also connects directly to the Jungfraujoch line, making it a natural stop if that’s your plan. Among the best tours from Interlaken for scenic value without a long

Zermatt and Matterhorn Tour

Getting from Interlaken to Zermatt takes around 3 hours each way by train, which makes this one of the longest day trips you can attempt from the area. You’ll change trains at least twice, passing through Visp before reaching the car-free streets of Zermatt.

The village itself is genuinely unlike anywhere else in Switzerland. No private cars, just electric taxis and horse-drawn carts, with the Matterhorn rising sharply above the rooftops on clear days.

A guided tour handles the train connections and keeps you moving so you don’t lose an hour figuring out platforms. Going independently is cheaper but adds real planning stress on a tight schedule.

Among the best tours from Interlaken for scenery, this one competes hard. Be honest with yourself though. This is a 12-plus hour day and works best when your itinerary has some breathing room.

Late summer and early autumn give the clearest Matterhorn views and the sharpest light for photos, with far less cloud cover than spring.

Harder Kulm Viewpoint Tour

The funicular from Interlaken to Harder Kulm covers 740 meters of elevation in under 10 minutes, making it one of the fastest mountain ascents in the Bernese Oberland.

At the top, the Two Lakes Bridge gives you a jaw-dropping split view of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at the same time. It’s the kind of photo that doesn’t look real, and it takes almost no effort to get there.

This is genuinely one of the best tours from Interlaken for travelers short on time. The funicular station sits right in town, there’s no hiking required, and the whole trip fits easily into a half-day.

Go at sunrise or stay for golden hour light if you want the lakes glowing in warm color below you. Midday works too, but the light is flat and the platform gets busy.

Tickets run around $34 USD round trip, and the trail is fully accessible, so it suits seniors, families, and anyone who wants big Alpine views without the physical demands.Lake Brienz Boat Tour

Picture sitting on the open deck of a steamboat, the water a deep turquoise, and the Swiss Alps rising on every side. That’s exactly what you get on a Lake Brienz cruise, and it’s one of the most relaxing ways to spend a morning in the region.

The big highlight is Giessbach Falls, a dramatic waterfall you can reach directly from the lake by a short funicular ride. It’s the kind of stop that genuinely surprises people.

This is one of the best tours from Interlaken for anyone who prefers scenery over strenuous activity. Seniors, families with toddlers, and non-hikers all do well here because there’s no serious walking involved.

Most half-day cruise options run around 2.5 hours one way. You can pair the boat trip with the Brienz Rothorn Railway, a classic cogwheel train that climbs to 2,350 meters, for a full and varied day out without overdoing it.

Lake Thun Cruise

Want a tour that lets you actually sit back and breathe between big mountain days? The Lake Thun boat cruise is exactly that.

You’ll glide along the water past Thun Castle and Spiez Castle, two medieval fortresses that rise right from the shoreline. It’s the kind of scenery that feels effortless to enjoy because the boat does all the work.

Compared to the Lake Brienz tour, Lake Thun feels more cultural and castle-rich, while Brienz leans into raw natural beauty and turquoise water. The pace here is slower and more relaxed overall.

Both half-day and full-day options are available, and the full-day version pairs well with a walk through the town of Thun, which is about 20 minutes from Interlaken by train.

Among the best tours from Interlaken, this one stands out as a low-intensity pick that suits rest days, older travelers, or families with younger kids who need a break from steep trails and cable cars.

Schynige Platte Hike Tour

Jungfraujoch gets all the attention, but Schynige Platte is where repeat visitors quietly go on their second trip. It’s less crowded, more affordable, and honestly more beautiful for anyone who loves alpine wildflowers and open ridgelines.

The cogwheel train from Wilderswil climbs nearly 1,400 meters to the summit plateau, where a small Alpine botanical garden displays over 600 native plant species. It’s one of the most underrated stops across all the best tours from Interlaken.

At the top, a panoramic ridge trail stretches along the crest with unobstructed views of the Eiger, Jungfrau, Lake Brienz, and Lake Thun spread out below you. The trail takes around two to three hours at an easy pace.

This tour runs seasonally from late May to November, and June through July is peak wildflower season. If you’ve already done Jungfraujoch and want something quieter in the Bernese Oberland, this is the one.

Beatus Caves Excursion

Few people expect to find an underground waterfall hiding inside a mountain on the shores of Lake Thun, but that’s exactly what makes this stop so memorable for families.

The Beatus Caves stretch around 1 kilometer into the mountain and feature dramatic stalactite formations built up over thousands of years. A guided tour walks you through the lit passages and past an impressive underground waterfall system, with the full experience typically taking about 75 minutes including the lakeside walk-in.

This is one of the best tours from Interlaken to keep in your back pocket for unpredictable Swiss weather. It’s completely sheltered, so a rainy morning or a scorching summer afternoon doesn’t change your plans.

Families with children aged 5 and above will find the path manageable and the cave environment genuinely exciting without being too intense. The terrain is mostly flat inside, making it accessible for older visitors too.

Entry runs around CHF 18 per adult, and no special gear is needed.

Lake Blausee Nature Trip

Book this as a half-day add-on rather than a full standalone day, since Lake Blausee sits only about 30 minutes by car from Interlaken, making it one of the easiest escapes in the Bernese Oberland.

The lake earns its name. That electric-blue color comes from glacial meltwater filtered through limestone, and standing at the edge feels genuinely surreal. The surrounding nature reserve near Kandergrund keeps the whole area quiet and clean.

Most first-timers pour their energy into Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald and never hear about this place. Repeat visitors always come back for it. The uncrowded atmosphere alone is worth the detour.

Guided nature walks here typically cover local wildflowers, mossy forest trails, and the resident brown trout visible right through the crystal water. It’s one of those spots where wildlife watching actually delivers without a long hike.

If you’re comparing the best tours from Interlaken for a slower-paced morning, Lake Blausee is

Paragliding Over Interlaken

Spring through autumn is the sweet spot for tandem paragliding here, with calm morning air and clear skies giving you the longest flight windows before afternoon cloud builds over the peaks.

Tandem flights launch from Beatenberg or Grindelwald, putting you above the turquoise ribbon of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at once. Most flights reach around 2,000 metres and last 15 to 20 minutes in the air.

Your pilot handles every control. You sit in a harness in front, feet dangling, while the Bernese Oberland spreads out below you. It genuinely looks unreal.

Prices typically start at around 170 CHF per person for a standard tandem flight, bookable through GetYourGuide. Among the best tours from Interlaken for pure adrenaline, this one consistently ranks at the top.

Weight limits apply, usually between 45 kg and 110 kg, and operators will ask about heart conditions or recent injuries before you fly.

Avoid booking on days with forecast wind

Bernese Oberland Scenic Train Tour

A Swiss Travel Pass lets you ride independently for around $244 for 3 days, but a guided rail tour from Interlaken adds commentary, reserved seating, and a planned itinerary that removes all the guesswork.

The Golden Pass Line is the most popular scenic route, connecting Interlaken to Montreux through lakeside villages, open meadows, and forested ridgelines. The landscape shifts dramatically within the first 30 minutes.

For sheer drama per hour, the segment between Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald is hard to beat. You’ll pass directly beneath the north face of the Eiger with snow-covered peaks filling the window on both sides.

Among the best tours from Interlaken that use rail as the main experience, guided options also often include stops at Lauterbrunnen or Schynige Platte that independent riders frequently skip because the connections aren’t obvious.

Guided tours handle the transfers, so you’re not staring at timetables while missing the view outside.

Murren Village Tour

Murren sits at 1,650 meters above sea level and has no roads at all. Zero. It’s one of the few fully car-free villages in the Swiss Alps, which makes it feel like a completely different world from the busy valley below.

Getting here from Interlaken takes a cable car from Lauterbrunnen followed by a small mountain railway into the village. It’s a layered journey, but that’s half the experience.

The views across to the Eiger and Schilthorn are uninterrupted from almost every street in town. Among the best tours from Interlaken, this one consistently appeals to travelers who find Grindelwald too crowded and want something slower and more authentic.

Murren stays genuinely quiet even in peak summer. You’ll hear cowbells more than tour groups.

In winter it becomes a low-key ski base with access to the Schilthornbahn. In summer, the hiking trails above the village open up some of the most dramatic ridge walks in the Bernese Oberland.

Guided City Tour

You’ve just arrived in Interlaken and your train to Grindelwald doesn’t leave until tomorrow. A guided city tour is the perfect way to fill that first afternoon without wasting it.

Walking and e-bike tours of Interlaken typically cover the Hoheweg promenade, the old monastery grounds near the Aare canal, the grand casino building, and several open corridors with unobstructed views of the Bernese Oberland peaks.

Most tours run about 2 hours and cost around 30 to 45 CHF per person, making them one of the more affordable options among the best tours from Interlaken.

A city tour works especially well on arrival day when your legs aren’t ready for alpine trails yet. It also fills short gaps between longer excursions without requiring any advance logistics.

Several operators combine the city walk with a Harder Kulm funicular ticket, turning it into a solid half-day experience with panoramic views over both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz included.

Wengen Village Day Trip

Have you ever wanted to explore a Swiss mountain village where no cars exist at all? Wengen sits car-free at around 1,274 meters above sea level, perched on a sunny shelf above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and that alone makes it feel completely different from Grindelwald or any other mountain town nearby.

You reach Wengen by cogwheel train from Interlaken, changing at Lauterbrunnen. The ride takes roughly 45 minutes total and the views climbing up the valley wall are genuinely worth the journey alone.

Unlike Grindelwald, Wengen has no through traffic and a noticeably slower pace. Families love it for that reason. Hiking trail access here is excellent, with well-marked paths heading toward scenic viewpoints over the valley and the famous waterfall belt below.

Among the best tours from Interlaken that combine multiple stops, Wengen works perfectly as a natural midpoint on the way to Kleine Scheidegg. You can break the journey, have lunch, walk a short trail, and continue upward without losing much time.

Aare Gorge Nature Tour

Many visitors picture the Bernese Oberland as purely a mountain destination, but some of its most striking scenery sits at river level. The Aare Gorge near Meiringen is a narrow limestone canyon carved by glacial meltwater over thousands of years, with walls rising so close together you can almost touch both sides at once.

A guided walk takes you along boardwalks bolted directly into the rock face, roughly 1.4 kilometres through the gorge. Expect spray from the rushing river, low overhangs, and tunnel sections cut through solid stone.

Meiringen also claims the Sherlock Holmes Museum, and the nearby Reichenbach Falls is where Arthur Conan Doyle famously staged Holmes’s death. Combining both sites in one morning is genuinely satisfying and makes this one of the more culturally layered options among the best tours from Interlaken.

The gorge is open April through November, and the full experience including the falls runs about two hours. It suits most fitness levels and is a smart pick for families.

For another perspective, this detailed piece on The BEST Interlaken Tours and Excursions in 2026 is worth a read.

FAQ

What are the best tours from Interlaken for first-time visitors?

First-timers almost always leave wishing they had booked Jungfraujoch sooner. It sits at 3,454 metres and gives you the Sphinx Observation Deck views that genuinely stop you in your tracks. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are solid second picks for a first trip.

Which Interlaken tours are worth the price and which are overrated?

The best tours from Interlaken that deliver real value are Jungfraujoch, the Schilthorn, and Kleine Scheidegg scenic train routes. Skip the heavily packaged city orientation tours sold near the train station. You can cover that ground yourself in an afternoon for free.

How far in advance should you book Jungfraujoch?

Book the Jungfraujoch cogwheel train at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead in summer, and earlier if you are travelling in July or August. Spots fill fast on platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator. Last-minute tickets exist but you risk poor weather windows with no flexibility to reschedule.

Can you combine multiple tours in one day?

Yes, but pair destinations realistically. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald work well together as a single day loop because both are under 45 minutes from Interlaken by train. Jungfraujoch alone takes a full day, so do not stack it with anything that requires serious travel time.

How many days do you need in Interlaken?

Three full days covers the highlights comfortably. Four days lets you add a Bernese Oberland slow day, Lake Brienz, or a relaxed

You might also like: 18 Easy Ways to Get to Interlaken Without the Stress

Key Takeaways

Save this list before you start booking. These are the picks that matter most, based on tour value, scenery, and how easy each one is to fit into a short trip.

• First-timers should prioritise Jungfraujoch and Lauterbrunnen. These two cover the Bernese Oberland highlights most efficiently. Returning travelers get more from Schilthorn or a Zermatt day trip instead.
• Book Jungfraujoch at least 2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Tickets sell out fast between June and September, and last-minute prices are noticeably higher on GetYourGuide and Viator.
• With just 2 days, pair Jungfraujoch with Grindelwald on day one and Lauterbrunnen with Harder Kulm on day two. Three days lets you add Lake Brienz or Schilthorn without rushing.
• The best tours from Interlaken suit different budgets and fitness levels.